Job Description

R&D Manager

Job Summary

The Research and Development (R&D) Manager at CP Foods North America will lead the planning, execution, and completion of new product development and existing product optimization projects, from concept through commercialization. This role requires a blend of scientific expertise, project management skills, and innovative thinking to ensure products meet market demands, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. The R&D Manager will foster a culture of innovation and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Sales, Quality Assurance (QA), Operations, and Supply Chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Development & Innovation: Drive the development of new and innovative food products and improve existing formulations to meet consumer needs and market trends.
• Project Management: Oversee the R&D projects supported by the Columbus R&D team, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and align with company objectives.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of food technologists and technicians, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Technical Expertise & Analysis: Provide technical leadership and support, including formulation, shelf-life stability testing, and sensory evaluation, for the projects supported by the R&D team. Strong knowledge of scientific process and application of experimental design in lab experiments and plant trials, including statistical analysis of results.

• Scale-Up & Commercialization: Ensure trials have strong technical plans and are designed to ensure a seamless transition from lab to manufacturing. Partner with the Engineering, Quality and Operations teams to enable efficient start-up.
• Quality & Regulatory Compliance: Work with quality and regulatory teams to ensure all products and processes comply with industry regulations and food safety standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMPs, SQF).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing to translate consumer insights into project briefs, with Operations to ensure manufacturing feasibility, and with Procurement to source new ingredients and manage costs.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation for product specifications, formulations, processing protocols, and project progress reports. Responsible for accurate documentation and protocol management for lab and pilot plant space in Columbus.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Culinary Science, or a related scientific field.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5-10 years of R&D experience in the food manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience managing R&D projects and leading cross-functional teams, experience with people management preferred.
• Experience with commercializing products from concept to launch.
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, processing techniques, and food safety systems.
• Related Skills:
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and adapt to a fast-paced environment
• Champions a “What If” attitude, searches and provides new ideas and solutions
• Values collaboration and the power of team
• Other job responsibilities as assigned

Location: Columbus, OH

Disclaimer

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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